Inverness Caley Thistle Women winger Katie Cleland "buzzing" after goalscoring return from two years out with ACL injury
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During the close to two years Katie Cleland was out injured, she could have been forgiven for thinking she would never play football again.
The Inverness Caledonian Thistle Women winger first damaged her anterior cruciate ligament in June 2021, and only returned to action two weeks ago.
ACL injuries have become rife in the women's game, with high profile stars like England's Euros winning captain Leah Williamson getting hurt earlier this month, joining Arsenal teammates Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema and Laura Wienrother on the sidelines with the same issue.
While they can be optimistic of a return, given they will be receiving the best medical care possible as professional athletes, it is not always so sure at a grassroots level.
Even at Caley Thistle, Cleland's teammate Jana Brady has suffered two ACL injuries in recent years, and is yet to return to action.
Understandably, then, Cleland doubted that she would make a comeback at one stage – making her recent return all the more impactful.
"It's been amazing, I was really nervous – I put it off and put it off because I was scared for my knee," Cleland explained.
"I'm buzzing to be back involved, and I'm playing okay.
"I did my knee in June 2021, and then I got surgery last year. It just took forever to get an MRI, and then I was put on a waiting list on the NHS. I eventually had to go private and get it done.
"I had always said that if I ever did my ACL, then I would never play again.
"It's not until you're out that you appreciate how big a part of your life it is, and I really missed it, so to be fair I'm just delighted to be back on the pitch.
"To get an assist and a goal in my first two games, I'm buzzing.
"I'm still just rebuilding my confidence and getting minutes under my belt, then over the summer I can continue rehabbing and getting strength back in my legs. We'll see how next season goes."
New faces in the team
In the time between Cleland's appearances in 2021 and 2023, plenty has changed at the club.
The former regional leagues were replaced by a new national division, and there are big plans for the future with a new facility in the works across from Inverness Royal Academy that will provide a dedicated home for Caley Thistle's women's team.
On the pitch, too, a new generation of player has come to the fore.
While some have practically come and gone – for various reasons – a pathway has been introduced under the ICT banner that gives girls the chance to play football from a very young age, all the way through to senior level.
Inverness have been reaping the benefits of that this season in particular, with several players like Iona MacArthur and Millie Carr becoming regular members of the first team squad.
That means that when Cleland did make her comeback, there were some brand new teammates lining up alongside in red, black and blue – and she has been hugely encouraged by the potential she sees.
"It's amazing to see, I absolutely love it," she enthused.
"It's a silver lining when older players are out injured that it's an opportunity for the younger ones to come in and get some minutes and experiences.
"The likes of Iona and Millie are outstanding, so I'm really excited to see them.
"They have been brilliant this season, and it's amazing how much we rely on 16 and 17-year-olds.
"Iona is literally just 16, and she has so much potential. I think it's amazing for her getting this first team experience, and she's only in fourth year at school so it's really exciting.
"It does fill you with hope for her, so I hope she can gain confidence from this experience and take it forward. She might be the next Rachel McLauchlan – you never know!"
Helping the next generation
Developing young talent is something that Cleland is used to, as she works as a PE teacher at Fortrose Academy during the week.
Cleland is not along in the Caley Jags squad as far as being a teacher goes, and that can only help nurture those young talents trying to break into senior football for the first time.
In the past, she has encouraged players like Abbey Ross and Tina Kelly into the fold from Fortrose, and those youngsters will have no lack of coaching or advice to help reach the next level.
The hope, for Cleland, is that more players can start out in the Highlands and reach the heights that Avoch footballer Rachel McLauchlan has – winning top titles and playing for Scotland.
Some have made that journey, including current Inverness player Julia Scott – also known as Ralphi. The players who have burst on to the scene in Cleland's absence, she feels, can absolutely follow in those footsteps.
"When I'm in school, I take the girls' football and I absolutely love it," she added.
"I just want girls to have the same experience I did growing up – or an even better one now that there are more opportunities.
"When I was at school, I played for Ross County, and that team doesn't exist in the same way anymore.
"We have this pathway now, all the way through to the first team, which is incredible.
"Even once they get to the senior team, there are four PE teachers here, so we're all absolutely delighted that there is that opportunity for young girls to get to play football.
"It's daunting coming into a first team when you're playing with older people, and none of us are particularly shy! You're just trying to establish yourself.
"Ralphi has done incredibly well being form up here, but there aren't really too many girls from up here who have made it to the very top level.
"That's just location and a lack of opportunity, but now that the game is growing all the time in Inverness, we'll see.
"Iona, Millie, Ellie (Anderson) is brilliant as well – and it all comes down to game time and minutes for them."
